Sometimes these ponderings will be from Caunes, and sometimes from Yorkshire.

Monday, 1 September 2014

Ensemble Opalescences ...encore.

Two years ago we were fascinated by a concert in one of the
Caunes marble quarries. The incredibly talented “Ensemble Opalescences”
ventured into the carriere de
Villerambert on the outskirts of Caunes and performed for a strangely clad
audience. We had to wear hard hats and were led through the quarry to a
temporary stage, set amongst the cutting machinery and sheer cliffs of pink
marble. We were really pleased to see they were repeating the event this year. ........This time, we had to wear high vis jackets as well.

Their performances were spread over 3 days this time. One concert being held in the church in Caunes, the second, back in the quarry, and the third at le Chateau de Paulignan in nearby Trausse.

We went to the concert in the quarry, which included poetry
and dance as well as the fabulous baroque musical performance of Ensemble
Opalescences. The concept was to display a dialogue between the musicians and a
dancer, relating to the relationship of baroque dance and music from France and
from Italy.

Saskia Salembier, introducing the concert

It was completely enchanting.

Saskia Salembier, the outrageously beautiful and
talented violinist and mezzo soprano ( she didn’t sing in this concert, which
was a real shame, as we loved her voice 2 years ago…but if we had looked more
carefully at the programme, we would have known this ! ) introduced the concert. Her playing was magnificent, as was that of the other 2
musicians.The acoustics within the quarry space were wonderful. There were no
microphones, no amplification…but every word
and every note was crystal clear. Let is be said…that Mark is still
completely enchanted by Saskia…..and I feel that he is absolutely entitled to
be so…she is incredible !

( I called my post about the concert 2 years ago….”is
it too late to learn to play the violin ? “ )

This was Saskia Salembier 2 years ago.....

Irene Feste, danseuse baroque

The dancer, Irene Feste, was wonderful. Her dress matched the tones of the
marble background against which she performed. Some of her incredibly delicate steps seemed very
formal, and later as she took on the Italian commedia dell’arte side of the
performance, it seemed much more intuitive and improvised. There was a real
dialogue with the musicians……and although it was good to have a visual focus
she never took attention away from the intricate power of the music.

We loved it.

never has a concert audience been so strangely clad.....

surrounded by chunks, and chippings

.....and slabs of marble

We were slightly disappointed that the after concert buffet
was held at the quarry entrance, on a couple of trestle tables, rather than in
the gorgeous courtyard of the Chateau Villarambert as it had been 2 years ago. However,
it did not detract from what had been a wonderful evening.

This was the setting for the after concert buffet 2 years ago......not quite the same this time.

As we walked back to the car park, the sky was turning various
shades of pink just as darkness approached. It matched the dancer’s dress and
the pink and red tones of the marble that surrounded us.

15 comments:

Great title and such lovely words and pictures to go with it - you really capture the essence of what must have been a super and unusual evening. Still worry why the performers don't have to wear hard hats...something to do with insurance, perhaps, rather than the aesthetics?? You - and Mark - I have to say, look magnificent in your high visibility get up! Axxx

It was a brilliant evening Annie...such talent....another reminder vfor us about what a special place Caunes has turned out to be. The quality of the concerts throughout the summer is so high. I thought I balanced my hard hat in rather a strange fashion....it seemed to fit mark much better ! Jxxx

I know.... 2 years ago...sometimes it seems like yesterday...but also, it feels as if it was another lifetime when we first saw them.... it was just a couple of weeks before I became ill..... so it feels as if quite a lot has happened in between concerts !

I guess quarries provide a perfect place for good acoustics...this quarry is still very much in use...so I suppose the health and safety stuff makes sense....although I suspect it is overplayed a little for dramatic effect.

About Me

In September 2011 after years of staring longingly in French estate agency windows ..... we finally bought a house 20 minutes drive from Carcassonne, intending to divide our lives between Hebden Bridge and Caunes Minervois. Things haven't worked out quite as we imagined, as I was diagnosed with cancer last October. Following surgery and follow up treatment we are now working hard on my recovery, and are spending time in the two places we love.... Caunes Minervois and Hebden Bridge